Special agents with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Agricultural and Rural Crime Unit, in conjunction with Tennessee Agriculture Investigators and Lauderdale County’s Sherriff’s Office, are investigating a series of slaughtered calves being left on Lauderdale County roadsides.

In each case, the calves appeared to have been processed for food purposes and the remains left behind. Similar occurrences have taken place in Pickens County as well as in Tennessee.

"Our ARCU agents specialize in agricultural and rural crimes, and work closely with local law enforcement throughout the state," Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said. "Agriculture is a leading industry in Alabama and is an essential part of Alabama’s economy, so we take these crimes very seriously. ARCU is tasked with investigating crimes related to livestock and farm equipment theft and destruction, and they have been very successful."

In light of these unfortunate occurrences, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association urges state cattlemen and cattlewomen to remember the Cattle Theft Reward program that awards $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing or destroying cattle on ACA member property. The ACA also offers tips to its members who help deflect cattle rustling on Alabama farms. These tips include tattooing and branding cattle for the purpose of identification instead of relying solely on ear tagging, ensuring the brand used is registered with the Stockyards & Brands Division of the Department of Agriculture and keeping detailed records on the type, description and number of cattle in each location.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to call the SBI crime tip line at 1-855-75CRIME.